After escaping a harmful family situation where she was being coerced into a forced marriage, Ruth was referred to The Freedom Hub by the Red Cross. At first, she arrived filled with fear and uncertainty, unsure of what the future might hold.

However, once she began attending our Survivor School, Ruth found a safe and supportive space. Through trauma-aware programs and one-on-one mentoring, she slowly started to heal. Over time, she rebuilt her confidence, explored new opportunities, and began to imagine a future shaped by her own choices.

As part of her recovery journey, Ruth was invited to attend the lively Bankstown Bites Food Festival. Surrounded by vibrant stalls, delicious food, and the buzz of community spirit, she experienced more than just a day out; it was a powerful moment of connection.

More importantly, the warmth Ruth felt didn’t just come from the food. It came from being part of something bigger, from shared laughter, and from the simple but profound joy of no longer feeling alone.

 

What Does Modern Slavery Look Like Today?

When we hear the word slavery, many people think of something from the distant past. However, slavery still exists, just in more hidden and complex forms. Today, modern slavery affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide, including right here in Australia.

Modern slavery can take many different shapes, and it often hides in plain sight. For example:

Human trafficking. The use of violence, threats or coercion to transport, recruit or harbour people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, labour, criminality, marriage or organ removal

Forced labour. Any work or services people are forced to do against their will, usually under threat of punishment

Debt bondage/bonded labour. The world’s most widespread form of slavery. People trapped in poverty borrow money and are forced to work to pay off the debt, losing control over both their employment conditions and the debt

Child slavery. When a child is exploited for someone else’s gain. This can include child trafficking, child soldiers, child marriage and child domestic slavery

Forced and early marriage. When someone is married against their will and cannot leave. Most child marriages can be considered slavery

Domestic servitude. Domestic work and domestic servitude are not always slavery, and when properly regulated can be an important source of income for many people. However, when someone is working in another person’s home, they may be particularly vulnerable to abuses, exploitation, and slavery, as they might be hidden from sight and lack legal protection.

Ruth had escaped forced marriage. In Australia, this is more common than we realise. Her journey to freedom highlights the urgent need for awareness and support systems for those facing similar situations.

In Australia, many victims of forced marriage are children of first-generation migrants. For these young people, the path to freedom is rarely simple. This is largely due to complex social pressures, including fear of community stigma, strong family expectations, cultural traditions, and the threat of violence. These factors often make it far more difficult for victims to seek help or speak out.

Importantly, it was only within the last decade that Australian lawmakers formally recognised forced marriage as a serious issue. While the legal definition of forced marriage may appear straightforward, in practice, it is far more nuanced.

What makes modern slavery so insidious is how invisible it can be. Victims are often hidden behind closed doors, silenced by fear, language barriers, or threats to their safety or families. Many don’t even realise they are being exploited because coercion and control can be deeply psychological.

At The Freedom Hub, we work with survivors of modern slavery here in Australia, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity, independence, and hope for a future free from exploitation.

For assistance and support for women who have been trapped in servitude, you may contact us or call our hotline 1800FREEHUB.

*Note: *Name has been changed to protect the survivor’s identity.